The 120-cover restaurant will be located inside the original 'Dome' of the famous venue at Plymouth Hoe which was originally opened by the Queen in 1986.
The team behind the venue has confirmed it will be open in the summer of 2012 after an alcohol license was granted and the city council planning department signed off on giving permission for a change of use for the site from the museum and visitor attraction it had been used as previously.
World-class views
Sophie Cutforth, a spokesperson for Rhodes @ The Dome said the local team of architects from Burke Richards had designed a great location for the restaurant and events venue.
"They've created a beautiful space, both on the ground floor for weddings and events and on the first floor for those enjoying lunch and dinner. The open, airy layout with all the restaurant tables taking advantage of the world-class views coupled with an open plan kitchen so diners can watch Gary and his highly skilled team cook is bound to be a huge success. It's great to see what the building will look like in just a few months' time," she said.
The restaurant will also contain a private dining suite of 12 covers, a full bar and an outside terrace. The ground floor of the venue will be used as a functions and events suite to cater for events with up to 250 guests and will feature its own private bar, a wedding chapel and a full presentation suite for corporate events.
Plymouth
The project represents an investment of around £2m and will create over 50 jobs in the Devon city. It has been confirmed the celebrity chef will work with local suppliers to source ingredients for the restaurant and is planning to visit the project regularly and make Plymouth a 'second home'.
Rhodes was officially welcomed to the city recently by Charles Howeson, chairman of the Plymouth Area Business Council and chairman of rail operator First Great Western.
The refurbishment team were on site earlier than planned and have been involved in renovating the venue for the summer opening, meanwhile the launch of the wedding packages, an important part of the project for Rhodes, has already happened.